I really feel as a collective us golfers are not representing ourselves well by keeping so quiet over this. This whole project has flown in the face of the natural principles of links golf, both in terms of actual physical activity and a more general relationship with the area as a whole.
I'm no anarchistic flag waving lunatic but I have to speak out when someone like Trump misrepresents us all so badly. And be assured, rightly or wrongly, unless more of us are heard this whole saga will be seen by the wider World as golf vs nature. We can't alter what's already happened but we can effect demand. Simply don't visit the place and encourage others to at least search their conscience before planning a trip.
I studied economics at university and worked in The City for years but none of this means I've ever thought economic development was such a holy grail that we should abandon all other principles in pursuit of it. Suggesting that we should endorse the whole project because a few locals are now employed by Trump is about as smart as suggesting we speed up the destruction of the rain forest in order to boost economic growth in South America. And anyway, even if for now we ignore the very valid point that much of this Trump related growth is actually just the shifting of tourism from one place to another, has no one spotted the elephant in the room? Trump will only build his hotel now if the wind farm project is scrapped. I have no figures to refer to but I'm sure the growth of a renewable energy industry off the east coast would provide far better long term benefits to the area as a whole than one hotel/golf resort.